From 20 September 2026 Basic rates
Youth Allowance Rates
Youth Allowance pays more the older you are and the further you live from home — the gap between living at home and living away is more than $190 a fortnight, which is why moving out is a change you have to report.
Current maximum basic rates
| Your situation | Maximum basic rate (a fortnight) |
|---|---|
| Single, 16 to 17, living at home | $418.90 |
| Single, 18 or over, living at home | $482.40 |
| Single, 16 or over, living away from home | $677.20 |
| Single, with children | $854.20 |
| Single job seeker principal carer with an exemption from mutual obligations | $1,068.20 |
| Partnered, no children (each) | $677.20 |
| Partnered, with children (each) | $733.20 |
These are the basic rates. Income and assets tests can reduce them, and Rent Assistance can be added on top.
What changes your rate
- Your living situation matters as much as your age — "living at home" pays hundreds of dollars a fortnight less than "living away from home", and moving out is a change you have to report.
- Youth Allowance is means tested against your parents’ income while you are dependent, which is a rule most other payments do not have.
- Supplementary payments such as Rent Assistance can be added on top of these basic rates.
If you are 25 or over and studying
Youth Allowance is generally for students under 25. Once you turn 25, study support moves to Austudy, which pays a different rate. Job seekers move to JobSeeker Payment at 22.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Youth Allowance?
It depends on your age and where you live. A single person living at home gets $418.90 a fortnight at 16 to 17, or $482.40 at 18 or over. Living away from home it is $677.20.
Does it matter if I live at home?
It matters a lot — over $190 a fortnight between the at-home and away-from-home rates. The rate you are paid depends on your actual circumstances, so moving out (or moving back) is something you need to tell Services Australia about.
Is Youth Allowance tested on my parents’ income?
Yes, if you are a dependent. That parental means test is unusual — most other payments look only at your own income and your partner’s.
What if I have children?
A single person with children gets $854.20 a fortnight. A partnered person with children gets $733.20 each.
Can I get Rent Assistance with it?
Yes, if you rent and your other circumstances qualify. Use the Rent Assistance calculator to see what that adds.
Rates from the Department of Social Services — Social Security Guide (1.342 (21 September 2026)), checked 12 October 2026. General information only — your actual entitlement is assessed by Services Australia.